The late, great John Denver pulls his guitar out and starts to strum/sing “Rocky Mountain High”! Yes, this region of North America is special and John innately understood that fact.
Yesterday was one of the most special days of my life outdoors. Since I was a little boy over 55 years ago, I have hoped I might see an Arctic Ptarmigan. Given hanging out on the Alaska tundra at high elevation near the start of winter is unlikely for me, finding these birds at one of the few locations they live in the Lower 48 (mountain tops high above the tree line in the Colorado Rockies) was my only viewing chance.
While the best way to fight pneumonia may not be to go hiking with my friend, Peter Ismert, at 13,000+ feet, I ignored the wisdom of years and at 5:30 am we left for the summit of Mount Evans in search of the Arctic tundra bird, a White-Tailed Ptarmigan. Major success! We found a flock of 14+ birds. Wheezing and coughing I climbed the mountain in search of my childhood dream.
After 2.5 hours of hiking, the darn Ptarmigans kept climbing higher and higher while my darn chest demanded we descend to a lower elevation! Our efforts were worth every cough and wheeze! I still have hundreds of images to process, but here are a few photos I particularly like from the first set.
S short video of three White-Tailed Ptarmigan almost in their winter white.
Finally, Peter took this image of me on his iPhone during our hike. Can you find the Ptarmigans? I am focusing in for a new photography after butt scooting / sliding into position!
Unbelievable! We live about 30-35 miles from RMNP via Estes Park, so have been there multiple times. Over the years, I have spent hours searching the scree-strewn, ultra windy alpine trail at Medicine Bow Curve. Even my ornithologist partner Scott had the Ptarmigan on his ‘Nemesis Bird List’. We FINALLY saw a couple of them (from a distance) downhill from us last June. I can’t believe you saw so many on what sounds like your first foray! Congrats!
It was a magical day!
Amazing pictures! (Although I am sure this behavior – with pneumonia – is NOT to be encouraged).
Fabulous. Never heard of this bird. I can see why you wanted to photograph them.
Please take care of yourself so you beat down that pneumonia.
Excellent pictures. Your efforts were paid handsomely!!